Program Overview

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Computational Life Sciences (Graduate Certificate)

Program Description

The Computational Life Sciences graduate certificate program is designed to provide students with expertise in understanding, interpreting, and analyzing diverse data types generated from various life sciences disciplines. This includes ecology, botany, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, molecular and cellular biology, and animal behavior.

At a Glance

• College/School: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Location: Tempe or Online
• STEM-OPT Extension Eligible: No

Degree Requirements

The program requires 16 credit hours, including a portfolio.

• Required Core (1 credit hour):
  • BIO 511 Big Data in Context (1)
  • BIO 610 Introduction to Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1)
  • BIO 611 Current Topics in Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) in Life Sciences (1)
• Electives (15 credit hours):
  • Culminating Experience (0 credit hours): portfolio (0)
• Additional Curriculum Information:
  • Elective coursework is selected from a restricted list in consultation with the academic unit.

Admission Requirements

• General University Admission Requirements:
  • All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
  • U.S. applicants | International applicants | English proficiency
• Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
• Applicants must have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in life sciences or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
• Applicants are required to submit:
  • Graduate admission application and application fee
  • Official transcripts
  • Written statement
  • Proof of English proficiency

Tuition Information

When it comes to paying for higher education, everyone’s situation is different. Students can learn about ASU tuition and financial aid options to find out which will work best for them.

Attend Online

ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year.

Program Learning Outcomes

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:

• Summarize key computational concepts, such as algorithms and relational databases, and their applications in the life sciences, and apply statistical concepts used in computational life sciences.
• Write simple computer scripts to find, retrieve, and organize various types of biological data, using command-line bioinformatics tools.
• Interpret the ethical, legal, medical, and social implications of biological data.

Career Opportunities

Professionals with expertise in computational life sciences are in high demand in biotech and biomedical industries. Skills in data science are critical for the analysis and interpretation of life sciences data. These skills are valuable to businesses and institutions relying on data-driven life sciences research including hospitals, biotechnology companies, and for-profit and nonprofit research institutions.

• Career examples include:
  • Bioinformatics scientist
  • Computational lab technician
  • Core facilities researcher
  • Ecologist
  • Educator
  • Microbiologist
  • Natural sciences manager
  • Software developer

Stackable Certificates

Students can complete two graduate certificate programs and combine them into a Master of Advanced Study degree, giving ultimate flexibility to build their own master’s degree. Interested students can learn more about MAS requirements and the admission process.